Tag: Spring

I finally put my office back together after having it torn apart for the better part of a month to redo the flooring. It is much easier to use my computer when I have a desk to work at, being home helps too. I was away for the first 3 weekends in May. I got to attend a fantastic Symposium for Animal Health in Quebec City. I learned so much and had some awesome networking opportunities. I also learned that I really need to go back there and eat more food and tour around a bit more. We went to visit Nick’s relatives in Kingston the following weekend. It one of my favourite cities to visit for the food and time with family. We always stop in at Pan Chancho’s and I finally got to eat at Wooden Heads (http://woodenheads.com) The pizza was awesome, and some of the conversations we overheard were very entertaining.

We finally made it to the opening weekend of the cottage, with a new boat in tow. That drive up with the boat attached is one of the most nerve wracking things to me. Which is why we make Nick drive the truck up. It was one of the most smooth launches we have ever had. The trailer handles really well. We had been itching to get to the cottage since we closed it. Friday afternoon the weather was perfect! We got the water all hooked up, the composting toilet set up, and we discovered a family of mice had moved in for the winter. I spent most of the rainy day on Saturday cleaning up. I was glad that it was raining because at least I didn’t feel bad about wasting the sunshine being inside.

Saturday morning was spent getting the garden cleaned up and planting in the potatoes, they grow so well in the compost we have. As the weather gets warmer we will be taking up some tomatoes, and some herbs for cooking. The girls were so desperate to go swimming that I finally agreed to take them. The ice had only been out for maybe a week or so and the water was at most 60 degrees. Leah hopped in a refused to admit she was freezing until a boat went by and splashed her. She was in cottage by the fire in no time after that. Ava managed to get her toes wet and said that was enough until the water warms up. There was a power outage while we were there. I am so happy that we use the BBQ for most meals and we have some beautiful cast iron pans that we use on the wood stove to make breakfast. Bacon cooked in a heap in a pan is so delicious and it makes the cottage smell so good.

breakfast cooked on the wood stove! So yummy.First toe in the river, She was so brave. I probably won’t get in until end of June.Ava followed suit and was chasing her sister in.Getting the compost turned into the garden and planting the potatoes

On Sunday it was sunny but cold. We got the smoker up and running we made a great chicken, we brined it and then did a dry rub and smoked for a couple of hours. It was so tender and flavourful. I definitely want to give that a go again. It was great to catch up with everyone after the winter and relax in the fresh air. The Beavers were busy in the swamp this winter, building lots of new dams and creating quite the large mosquito breeding ground.

Our smoker all ready for the chicken!Wood all chopped and ready to use, mostly Maple and Birch.

The weather is always the best on the day we have to leave. The girls had their bikes out and we enjoyed several cups of coffee on the deck watching them play and the river lazily flowing by. We took the boat out into the bay for a few minutes. The wind was just a bit too cold to last long, I found myself wishing for a toque. Then we came home and slowly ate our lunch, and then packed with a mad dash after noticing the time. We seemed to lead a bit of a mass exodus from the river. I’m guessing everyone does the same thing. At least the drive wasn’t overly long either way this time. As summer progresses the traffic will get worse. One day I would love to just stay there for the summer,I guess that is for when I can retire.

Fist sunset of the season, there will be plenty more to come!

The cottage box is starting to build up in the front hall again. I sense another trip soon!

I am getting a bit more free time in my days now that the puppies have gone home, so hopefully I will be able to write more again. It is a very peaceful afternoon, the dogs are all asleep in the spots of sun that come through the windows, Ava is away with Oma, and Leah is sick on the couch having a nap. I am having a cup of tea and writing, in between hanging laundry on the line and reading some stories to Leah when she is awake. Looks like she will be home from school tomorrow.

We have been carefully watching for signs of spring since probably February. We had that lovely thaw a few weeks ago and I was sure that was going to be spring! We noticed how the the trees buds were starting to swell and the bulbs were pushing up through the soil.

Leah and Ava watching for springHeading into the wood by Leah’s schoolDropping Leah off for a fun day at school.Moss in the woods.Ava loves “mommy and me days”

We had a lovely Easter weekend, spending time with all our family. The girls love the annual egg hunt at my parents house. My mom carefully lays out all the eggs and then the girls take all of maybe 5 minutes to find them all. This year we were a bit late arriving and my mom had to fend off a squirrel who liked the look of the brightly coloured eggs, and maybe has a bit of a sweet tooth.

Easter egg huntThey gathered all the eggs and only had to fend off one squirrel who thought he should have the eggs too.Comparing numbers.

Now I think we have finally made it through to spring. I got the front garden all cleaned up and the bulbs are starting to flower. I have a few crocus, hyacinths, and iris coming up. The daffodils are shooting out of the ground as fast as they can, with the tulips following quickly behind them. I love this time of year, watching everything erupt with the heat of the sun.

Leah Loving the warm weather, good for chalk drawings and bubbles!Ava checking on the flowers in the garden.

We ripped the carpet out of the office a couple of weeks ago, and now that the warm weather is here. I have a feeling that we won’t finish that project until October. There are more fun things to do outside, like getting the garden going, and Cottage Opening should be just around the corner. If the ice would get out of the river!